Champaign parolee charged with having heroin for sale

URBANA — A Champaign man currently on parole was charged Wednesday with allegedly possessing heroin he intended to sell.

Judge John Kennedy told Demerio Hilson, 32, of the 1400 block of Queens Way that he could face up to six to 30 years in prison if convicted of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

The charge against Hilson stemmed from his arrest Tuesday in Champaign. Members of the Champaign County Street Crimes Task Force had a search warrant for his home, but prior to serving it, they followed Hilson as he drove to a fast-food restaurant in the 0-100 block of East Anthony Drive.

There they saw him attempting to conduct a drug deal with a woman in the parking lot. When police approached, Hilson dropped a bag of suspected heroin on the ground.

Assistant State's Attorney Tim Sullivan said the suspected drugs weighed about a half-gram.

Because of prior convictions for delivery of a controlled substance, Hilson faces Class X penalties for the Class 2 felony.

Sullivan said Hilson is on parole for aggravated driving under the influence from 2016 but also had other convictions for fleeing and eluding, driving under suspension, possession of cannabis and resisting arrest.